Cairo Calling

Cairo Calling

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December 2017 witnessed the culmination of a project that started back in 2014 between Rinse FM and 100 Copies, supported by the British Council, called Cairo Calling. Cairo Calling explores the differences, and similarities, between Cairo’s mahraganat scene and London’s own evolving rap and grime scenes.

On 6 December, London's Barbican Centre played host to musicians from the UK and Egypt as a new film was aired for the first time illustrating the vibrant mahraganat scene, with key contributions from the likes of Mumdance, Pinch, Sadat and Figo. The film was followed by two talks as producers and musicians discussed what made the music so vital. The following night, Archspace in London's East End was the venue for a show featuring Sadat, ALAA50 and DJ Saddam.

Above: the new film looking in detail at Cairo's mahragant scene, with contributions from Mumdance and Pinch among others